Investors gained approximately ₦1.70tn at the close of Thursday’s trading, as broad-based sectoral advances lifted equities and pushed the benchmark index to a fresh weekly high on the Nigerian Exchange Limited.
Market capitalisation rose to ₦123.93tn from ₦122.24tn, while the All-Share Index advanced by 2,645.61 points, or 1.39 per cent, to close at 193,073.57. The performance reflected strong buying interest across major sectors.
The rally was underpinned by gains in banking, industrial and consumer stocks.
The NGX Banking Index strengthened to 1,852.15 from 1,804.68 in the previous session, signalling renewed investor confidence in financial stocks. Major gainers included Stanbic IBTC Holdings (+9.52%), FirstHoldCo (+6.67%), Access Holdings Plc (+4.00%), United Bank for Africa (+2.13%), Zenith Bank Plc (+1.55%) and Guaranty Trust Holding Company (+0.91%).
However, losses in Fidelity Bank Plc (-1.22%) and Wema Bank Plc (-0.37%) moderated the sector’s gains.
The NGX Industrial Index edged up to 7,200.81 from 7,180.10, supported by advances in Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (+2.77%) and Lafarge Africa Plc (+2.11%).
The NGX Insurance Index closed at 1,334.83, up from 1,328.24, reflecting modest strength in the sector. Notable gainers included FTG Insurance Plc (+10.00%), Custodian Investment Plc (+9.42%), Lasaco Assurance Plc (+6.41%), Wapic Insurance Plc (+4.36%) and Linkage Assurance Plc (+1.74%).
Declines were recorded in AXA Mansard Insurance Plc (-7.92%), Guinea Insurance Plc (-4.11%), Universal Insurance Plc (-2.04%) and Regency Alliance Insurance Plc (-0.79%).
The NGX Consumer Goods Index advanced to 4,472.50 from 4,448.49, reflecting improved appetite for defensive stocks. Key gainers included Guinness Nigeria Plc (+9.38%), NASCON Allied Industries Plc (+6.21%), PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc (+3.74%), Honeywell Flour Mills Plc (+2.16%) and International Breweries Plc (+1.01%).
On the downside, Cadbury Nigeria Plc (-6.38%), Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc (-1.68%) and Tantalizers Plc (-1.20%) posted losses.
Meanwhile, the NGX Oil & Gas Index eased slightly to 4,076.03 from 4,080.66, indicating mild profit-taking in the sector.
Market breadth remained positive, with several equities recording strong gains. DEAPCAP, Okomu Oil and FTG Insurance topped the gainers’ chart with 10 per cent advances, while MCNichols, Multiverse and NSL Tech led the laggards with 10 per cent declines.
